The producer was driving through Manhattan in the early hours of Wednesday when he was stopped by police at a traffic checkpoint.

They reportedly ran a background check and discovered that he was driving on a suspended license and a subsequent search allegedly turned up three pills on his person, according to local news channel NBC 4 New York.

Clue, real name Ernesto Shaw, was taken into custody on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance and aggravated unlicensed operator and is due to appear in a Big Apple court to face the counts later on Wednesday.

The music star, known for his work with rappers Jay-Z, Nas, DMX and Fabolous, had reportedly had his license suspended eight times before.